A Son's Recital... Baseball... and a Roman Resignation

Three thoughts to begin the week together....

First, there was a moment last night when I stopped being a dad with a video camera and simply listened to the marvelous music that was coming from the stage. Our son John was playing his Junior recital at The Ohio State University and was joined by Joshua Jessen on piano and Adam DeAscentis on bass in Jimmy McHugh’s “On the Sunny Side of the Street.” It was one of those moments where the music took the listener to another level of consciousness. I was reminded of my High School days in the Montclair Madrigal choir singing an arrangement of this jazz standard by Fred Waring. But last night, John and his trio took the music to a whole new level of understand and appreciation. It was a magical and memorable. A proud dad? You bet! But in reality more delighted by the fact that my son is truly beginning to make significant steps in his chosen career, following his passion, and living the dream. How would I describe last night’s performance? A phrase John likes to use is most fitting: “It was ridiculous!”

Second, today is one of my favorite days of the entire year for pitchers and catchers report to their respective Major League clubs to begin the official start of Spring Training. There are only 57 more days until Baseball’s Opening Day. The dream begins once again for each of the thirty teams. Only one club will win the coveted prize and raise the World Series trophy. But on this day, every team has a shot at glory. Go Tribe!

Third, early this morning, the local radio news anchor said, “And word out of the Vatican is that the Pope will resign.” I thought to myself: “I must be still sleeping! Popes do not resign. They remain in office until their death.” But the news was correct and Benedict XVI will indeed step down as leader from the largest Christian denomination at the end of the month. The real question is why? While the communique below cited health reasons, and it has been clear for some time that this pontiff has been in physical decline, I am skeptical. The last time a Pope resigned from office was nearly 600 years ago in the year 1415. This is indeed a rare occurrence and an action that will keep the news services buzzing for weeks to come. The Vatican released the following statement by Pope Benedict just a few hours ago.

Dear Brothers,

I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.

However, in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.

For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

More to come on this story. In the meantime….

Love One Another - Brian